Microsoft this week announced that older Xbox 360 titles will no longer be available from the Xbox 360 Marketplace. Essentially this means gamers still on Microsoft's legacy console will not be able to buy those games digitally from the official store. However, the company also said that it was closing down the Xbox 360 Marketplace in its entirety.
“We will be closing the Xbox 360 Marketplace over the next year, so we encourage you to purchase any 360 games or DLC by May 2023.”
That sent Xbox 360 owners into panic mode. Losing some older titles is one thing, but not being able to purchase any games would mean many would have to leave behind the ageing platform. However, Microsoft has now clarified its position, putting it down to an error:
“This message was posted in error and we can confirm the Xbox 360 Marketplace will not close in May 2023.”
In terms of the games that are being removed, Microsoft says, DLC, and in-game progress would be removed from the Marketplace. In other words, after February 7 only customers who purchase a physical copy will be able to buy one of the listed games.
However, games on the delete blacklist will still work if you have previously purchased it from the Marketplace. This is important because it means even if you delete it from the Xbox 360 you will be able to re-download it again. So, if you want one of those games, you should be making your purchase before Microsoft swings the axe.
Game List
As for the games, the following titles (some of them genuine classics) will no longer be available:
- Aegis Wing
- Assassin's Creed Brotherhood
- Assassin's Creed III
- Assassin's Creed IV
- Assassin's Creed Liberation HD
- Blood of the Werewolf
- Blue Dragon
- Breakdown
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
- Call of Duty: Ghosts
- Castle Crashers
- Cloning Clyde
- Counter-Strike: GO
- Dark Souls
- Darksiders II
- DAYTONA USA
- Defense Grid
- Eets: Chowdown
- Far Cry 2
- Final Fight: DblImpact
- Iron Brigade
- Jeremy McGrath's Offroad
- Jet Set Radio
- Left 4 Dead
- Left 4 Dead 2
- LIMBO
- Lost Odyssey
- Mass Effect 2
- MONOPOLY DEAL
- Mutant Blobs Attack
- N+
- Outpost Kaloki X
- Peggle 2
- Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds
- Prince of Persia
- R.U.S.E.
- Sega Vintage Collection: Alex Kidd & Co.
- Skate 2
- South Park: The Stick of Truth
- Spelunky
- Splinter Cell Conviction
- Star Wars Battlefront
- Star Wars KOTOR 2
- The Orange Box
- The Raven Episode 1
The Witcher 2
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